ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Vermont's newest attraction

Vermont Business Magazine, Mar 01, 2003 by Archer, Kathy

Visitors of all ages will enjoy ECHO, the new world-class attraction in downtown Burlington opening in June. Encompassing almost 30,000 square feet on the waterfront, the two-story lake aquarium and science center will present 12,000 gallons of aquariums with more than 2,200 live fish, amphibians and reptiles surrounded by nearly 100 hands-on interactive exhibits in a setting of spectacular views of Lake Champlain.

ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, formerly the Lake Champlain Basin Science Center, has been renamed as well as rebuilt. The new name reflects the Ecology, Culture, History and Opportunity of the Lake Champlain Basin-the core mission of the new lake aquarium, science center, and community resource-as well as recognizing Senator Patrick Leahy for his longstanding commitment to this project and the stewardship of-Lake Champlain and its watershed.

The ECHO experience includes a 20-foot tube of bubbles, Awesome Forces-800 million years of Basin history compressed into 6 minutes of crashing, flashing glaciers and earthquakes-a walk-in replica of the General Butler shipwreck, water space for kids to build dams and float boats, and touch tank with periwinkle snails, horseshoe crabs, and sea stars, anemones and urchins. From a working miniature lighthouse to a high-tech joystick historic underwater adventure, from Abenaki storytelling to the dynamics of a seiche, the ECHO adventure, will immerse guests in the sight, sound, smell and touch of past and present life in the Basin. A series of special touring exhibits will be showcased in changing exhibit gallery three times a year.

To meet the primary goal of ECHO to educate and delight visitors of all ages-diverse programs, including regularly scheduled 20-minute live animal demonstrations and special exhibit talks, will be offered daily in the center. School field trips, an evening lecture series for adults, vacation-week programs for children, summer theme days, event days camp-in opportunities, and teacher training sessions will be provided year-'round. A series of family and community programs will include "Animal Antics," and "Champ". Special programs, such as water quality workshops, will draw on the expertise and resources of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory (a University of Vermont research facility sharing the Leahy Center building), and seasonal events will include opportunities such as the ever-popular mid-August star cruise to view Perseid meter showers.

As a community resource, ECHO will offer exceptional meeting, conference and recreation spaces. A second story balcony with beautiful views of the lake, a cafe, gift shop and multiple meeting rooms next to the live animal exhibitions will be available for a wide range of public or private social and business functions before, during and after hours. Outdoor spaces, as extensions of the Burlington Waterfront Park, will also provide options for community events.

The building is an amazing example of sustainable design strategies. Design, construction and operation of the new building follow stringent guidelines of the national LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System(TM). The building draws as much as possible on local materials, state-of-the-art energy-saving operations, optimum efficiency equipment, and environmentally friendly materials. Within all areas of operation-from animal care and office management to gift shop product and food services-ECHO will follow environmentally-friendly practices. The totally wireless building will utilize a facility-wide digital control system, fiber optic daylighting, a solar thermal system for water heating, auto dimming fluorescent lights, recycled content materials, with human and lake-friendly products throughout.

The $14.5 million project has been ten years in the making. Under the leadership of board chair, Sarah Muyskens, and capital campaign chair, George E. Little, Jr., the organization is approaching the final stages of reaching its goal. Approximately half of the funds came from the federal government. J. Warren and Lois McClure contributed $2.5 million, two anonymous gifts totaled another $1.5 million, and Bob and Cynthia Hoehl made a substantial gift as well. The remaining funds came from family and business supporters across the Basin.

Naming opportunities for businesses and individuals are available until March 31, 2003 when the Founders Wall will be finalized. The names of donors of all gifts of $1000 or more will be etched on a black marble wall in the foyer of the building. All donations are tax deductible.

"Everyone and everything in ECHO uses business acumen to deliver a delightfill experience to our customers," says director of corporate sponsorship, Daniel Feeney. "ECHO will be an important economic driver in the community," Feeney says. "With a staff of 16, and 200 volunteers, and more than 100,000 annual visitors, ECHO will make a real difference to the Champlain Valley community. Great marketing opportunities are available for businesses that wish to partner with ECHO in our corporate sponsorship program," he says.